Source: Public Relations and Information Department

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Creation of Philippine Air Force Academy pushed by solon
03 November 2005 09:27:25 AM
Writer: Rowena B. Bundang, PRID

House Deputy Majority Leader Antonio Cerilles today called on the House leadership to prioritize his proposal to modernize the country’s air force through the creation of the Philippine Air Force Academy (PAFA) in light of the recent decommissioning of the military’s 10 remaining units of F-5 of Freedom Fighter planes.

Cerilles said the decommissioning of the F-5 planes was an indication of the lack of training of Philippine Air Force pilots to also include the maintenance of air force planes.

“The establishment of the PAFA assures the Filipino people that we will be producing competent air force officers who can protect our entire archipelago. Definitely the PAFA shall be equipped with the most modern or the latest technology in the field of air defense and aviation,” said Cerilles.

Cerilles said his proposal embodied in House Bill 4605 seeking the PAFA creation will give life to the Constitutional provision to protect the life, liberty, and property of every Filipino since one way of making the people safe in their homes is an assurance that they have well-trained Air Force officers.

“The policy of the State is to keep up with the demands of global competitiveness and protect the country from the danger posed by terrorism and external threats, to promote the safety of life and property of its people, and safeguard its resources and defend the national territory,” said Cerilles.

Under HB 4605, those admitted in PAFA shall complete their baccalaureate degree of Bachelor of Science in Aviation major in Avionics, minor in Aircraft Maintenance to become a PAF officer.

The bill provides for the abolition of the present PAF Flying School, PAF Officer candidate School, and PAF Technical School and the absorption of their functions by the PAFA, including their equipment, facilities, and qualified members of the faculty and administrative personnel as the case may be.

Furthermore, the entire 100-hectare area of Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, including its ground and facilities, shall become the site of the PAFA the bill provides.

The bill also provides for a PAFA Modernization Fund to be collected from tourists and non-tourists traveling abroad who shall pay P50 for using the facilities of the country’s international airports, in addition to the existing fees and charges being collected from them.

The PAFA shall be headed by a superintendent and its performance shall be assessed every year by an Academy Board chaired by the Secretary of National Defense under the bill. The board shall fix the admission quota every year and propose academic subjects and trainings depending on the present needs or situation. To qualify for admission in the PAFA, one must be single, natural-born Filipino, 18 to 21 years old, and pass the entrance, physical, and psychological tests.